Earth Day | What Can We Do To Protect Our Natural World?
- Jewel Konieczny
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
April 22nd marks the international celebration of Earth Day, a day dedicated to the celebration and protection of our fragile planet. Founded in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, uniting millions of people in the mission of environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Earth Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues that directly impact wildlife, encouraging action to protect their habitats and species. By promoting sustainable practices, advocating for environmental policies, and supporting conservation efforts, Earth Day contributes to a healthier planet for all, including wildlife. This year, Earth Day celebrates its 55th anniversary - and advocates from all corners of the world are renewing the call for collective action in the fight against the climate crisis.
What You Can Do This Earth Day
In honour of Earth Day, there are many ways you can participate in environmental advocacy. Whilst reversing climate change may feel like an insurmountable task, there is power in numbers, and every individual action plays a role in shaping the larger whole of a healthier, more resilient planet. With this in mind, here are some steps you can take to help protect the planet this Earth Day and beyond.
RECYCLE
Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective means of environmental advocacy. Every year, the UK generates almost 200 tonnes of waste. Whilst the majority of homes make an effort to recycle, 40% of household recycling is contaminated, resulting in it being sent to landfill. This shows that while recycling is important - recycling correctly is key to ensuring our efforts are not wasted. As a general rule, dry paper and card, hard plastics, aluminum cans and tins, and unbroken glass are safe to recycle, whereas soft plastics such as crisp packets, sweet packets and plastic film should be thrown in the waste bin. Always ensure to rinse out your recyclables to avoid contamination.
Click here for further guidance on what items can and cannot be recycled in your general waste.
We partner with a recycling company for donated items that cannot be resold in our shops - e.g. torn/stained textiles or broken bric-a-brac, and old or broken gadgets. They can be handed in at any of our shops or at the hospital site in Cow Lane, Sidlesham.
Books
DVD's
Ink Cartridges
Jewellery
Used Cars
Old Stamps & Currency
Use Less Plastic
The durability of plastic makes it one of the most harmful materials to the ecosystem. Whilst the pervasive use of plastic makes it difficult to avoid, there are a number of easy ways you can reduce your plastic consumption.
● While most food outlets provide hot beverages in paper cups, most of these still have plastic lids – and plastic remains the most common way to contain water and other non-carbonated drinks. To mitigate your impact, bring a reusable cup whenever you’re out of the house.
● Another large contributor to plastic pollution are plastic bags, with top retailers selling over 200 million plastic bags per year. When you’re out shopping, bringing a reusable bag can greatly reduce your single-use plastic consumption.
● Many households use plastic wrap and bags to store leftovers. To cut down on plastic waste, consider natural or reusable alternatives such as beeswax wraps, and glass containers.
Support Eco-Friendly Gardening
Eco-friendly gardens support biodiversity by design, helping to maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem. By planting native plants and wildflowers, you can support pollinators and other insects. Good options for the UK climate are oxeye daisy, red campion, bird’s-foot trefoil, and field scabious. To encourage insect populations, it is important to avoid using pesticides and synthetic chemicals. Opt for peat-free soil, which not only acts as a carbon sink, but also provides a home for billions of organisms. If there are areas of your garden you want to keep insect-free, try covering these spots with good quality netting.
We are committed to raising awareness about wildlife conservation through educational programmes, forest school and outdoor workshops. Through our Respect & Protect Wildlife outreach programme we are actively engaging with young people, corporate businesses and community groups, to empower individuals to make informed choices to safeguard wildlife welfare and the environment.
Earth Day and Forest School can be beautifully combined to promote environmental awareness and connect children with nature. Forest School principles, such as the Nature Principle, can be used to create meaningful Earth Day experiences that go beyond traditional classroom activities.
Conserve Resources
Conserving household resources is a simple but effective way to minimise your environmental impact. Switching to energy efficient light bulbs and remembering to turn off lights when you leave a room are great ways to reduce your consumption of non-renewables. Similarly, installing low-flow showerheads and taps helps conserve water effortlessly, whilst also lowering water and energy bills. For habits that do require a little mindfulness, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth is a small action that can save vast amounts of water over time.
Volunteer
Volunteering in community litter picks and conservation initiatives is a valuable way to make a difference this Earth Day. Wildlife hospitals like Brent Lodge work year-round to rehabilitate local wildlife, and rely on the support of dedicated volunteers to carry out this vital work. Each animal has a unique function in the ecosystem, and shares a symbiotic relationship with the earth. By offering your time to voluntary projects, you can help restore the biodiversity that keeps our planet afloat.
Donate
Consider donating to wildlife organisations and charities for Earth Day, such as Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital. With a focus on wildlife conservation, education, and community engagement, we play a vital role in safeguarding and preserving wildlife and vital habitats around the world.
Get involved this Earth Day, and together – we can help secure the Earth’s future, and fulfil the hope of a happier, healthier planet.
By Jewel Konieczny
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